Roberts dissatisfied with home defeat to Latics

Captain Mark Roberts spoke of his dissatisfaction at Fleetwood Town’s home defeat against Oldham Athletic on a bitterly cold afternoon at Highbury.

Second half goals by Carl Winchester and Mike Jones gave the visitors the three points, although Town could have been ahead before the break only for Josh Morris and Gareth Evans to be denied.

Roberts mentioned that the conditions did play a part, but that the Cod Army were not quite at the same level as Oldham.

“I thought we were far from our best and didn’t reach the levels we have in recent weeks but we created a number of chances and on another day we take one of those and it’s a different story.

“With the conditions, the wind picked up and they really started the second half on the front foot and played with that intensity that we have been playing with in recent weeks.”

“They just seemed to have that extra level than us today. There is no poor team at this level, every team has players that are capable of producing so credit to Oldham they were very good but we need to do better.

“I just think they were quicker to every ball and all of a sudden we find ourselves 2-0 down and chasing the game so it’s very disappointing.

“There’s a lot of frustration in the dressing room because we know we can do better.”

The 31-year-old mentioned how the side created openings in the second half, with Nick Haughton in particular going close, and had Town scored they may have been able to press for an equaliser.

“We created a number of chances in the second half. Nick has come on and shown the ability to get on the ball and that bravery is very important.

“So, if we’d nicked one we would have tried and pressed for the equaliser like we have done earlier in the season in some games but it wasn’t to be and it is another game we have lost at home.

Roberts is now looking ahead to next weekend’s game with Crawley Town, and is hoping the return of David Ball will boost the side.

“All the time we are learning as a team, we are getting better, we’re getting stronger and our game is evolving all the time. This is a setback but a setback we’ll deal with.

“It was great to see Bally back on the pitch today because he has worked really hard to get himself fit and he gives us that extra dimension and that extra quality.